Spring-plank for car-trucks.



No. 684,837. Patented Oct. 22, l90l. G. B. MALTBY.

SPRING PLANK FOR OAR TRUCKS.

(Application filed Aug. 10, 1901.)

(No Model.)

WITNESSES THE Noam! PETERS CO, woYaLm-la. WASHINGTON D. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE E. MALTBY, OF SAGINAW, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR OF TVVO-THIRDS TO BRODERIOK HASKELL, OF SAME PLACE.

SPRlNG-PLANK FOR CAR-TRUCKS.

SPECIFICATION fomm'ng part of Letters Patent No. 684,837, dated October 22, 1901. Application filed August 10, 1901- Serial No. 71,619. (No model.)

The object of myinvention is to provide a support for the springs and bolster of a carro truck, of simple, strong, light, and inexpensive construction, which shall be readily adapted to application in arch bar or diamond trucks of the various patterns nowin service and shall present convenient facilities for attachment to the truck frame and maintenance of the springs and their seats in normal operative position.

The improvement claimed is hereinafter fully set forth.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a side view in elevation of a car or tender truck having my invention applied; Fig. 2, a vertical central transverse section through the same; Fig. 3, a plan view, on an enlarged scale, of the spring-plank detached; Fig. 4, a side View in elevation of the same, and Fig. 5 a transverse section on the line a a of Fig. 3.

My invention is herein illustrated as applied in an arch-bar or diamond truck of the 0 Master Car-Builders type, the side frames of which are composed of arch-bars 1, inverted arch-bars 1*, and pedestal tie-bars 4. These are connected at their outer ends one to the other and to the journal-boxes 2 by journal- 3 5 box bolts and are connected at the ends of their horizontal middle portions by columnbolts 31 passing through bolster-guide plates or truck-columns 10. The journal-boxes are provided with the usual bearings for the jour- 4o nals of the axles 8, on which the wheels 9 of the truck are secured.

The bolster 5 is fitted to traverse within the proper limited range of vertical movement between the columns 10 and is support- 5 ed adjacent to its ends upon springs 6, which in turn are supported upon a spring-plank 7, connected to the side frames. In the practice of my invention the spring-plank 7 is formed of a plate or sheet of metal, which is turned or flanged at right angles on its outer sides throughout the middle and major per tion of its length and is turned 0r flanged similarly, but in reverse direction, on its sides at and near its ends, the lateral flanges 7 thereat providing for the reception of bolts or rivets 10 by which the spring-plank is secured to the truck-columns 10. The body of the spring-plank is preferably, as shown, made of greater width at and near its ends than throughout the remainder of its length and is lightened and stiffened by cutting away its metal, so as to form one or more longitudinal openings 7, the edges of which are turned or flanged preferably in the same direction as the side flanges of the body, there being thus provided inner and outer flanges 7 which give to the spring-plank a double channel section for the major portion of its length.

In order to hold the spring-plates or springseats 11, on which the springs 6 are seated, in their normal positions, integral spring-plate catches '7 are preferably formed upon the body of the spring-plank adjacent to each of its ends. In the instance shown the catches '7 consist of annular upwardlyextending flanges turned on the edges of holes cut in the body of the spring-plank, said flanges engaging corresponding flanges on the spring seats 11 or fitting in corresponding openings therein. If preferred, the flanges of the catches may be dispensed witlnand the catches may be smaller holes punched in the body of the sprin g-plank and receiving dowels or projections on the spring-seats.

Spring-planks embodying my invention may be expeditiously and inexpensively manufactured by the employment of suitable formers and bending appliances, which are familiar to those skilled in ear and truck construction, and their advantages in point of strength, lightness, durability, and capability of use in ordinary diamond-trucks ofdif ferent patterns will be apparent to constructors and users of railroad rolling-stock. 9 5

I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent-- 1. Aspring-plank for car-trucks, composed of a plate or sheet of metal having lateral flanges extending in one direction throughout the middle and major portion of its length, and oppositely-turned lateral flanges on its end portions.

2. A spring-plank for car-trucks, composed of a plate or sheet of metal having alongitudinal opening in its body, the edges of which are turned or flanged, and having its body laterally flanged.

3. A spring-plank for car-trucks, composed of a plate or sheet of metal having a laterallyflanged body, and a longitudinal opening in its body, the edges of which opening are turned or flanged in the same direction as the lateral flanges of the body, thereby .presenting a double-channel section throughout the extent of said flanges.

4. A spring-plank for car trucks, composed of a plate or sheet of metal having lateral end flanges for attachment to the side frames of a truck, and annular projections formed on its body between the lateral end flanges thereof, said projections being located in position to engage corresponding openings in spring seats or plates.

5. A spring-plank for car-trucks, composed of a plate or sheet of metal having downwardly turned lateral flanges extending throughout the middle and major portion of its length, upwardly-turned flanges on its end portions, and a longitudinal opening in its body, the edges of which opening are downwardly flan gcd.

GEORGE E. MALTBY. WVitnesses:

O. H. STEPHENS, S. E. RUMBLEs. 

